Spiritual leader and Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar lamented in Bhopal on Saturday that people have been misinterpreting traditions, causing a lot of problems in the country.

Spiritual leader and Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar lamented in Bhopal on Saturday that people have been misinterpreting traditions, causing a lot of problems in the country.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day national conference on ‘Global Warming and Climate Change- A Way Out’ in Bhopal on Saturday, Ravi Shankar touched upon a number of issues, including pollution, intolerance and black money.

“We have been misinterpreting our traditions, sometimes unknowingly. We revere the cow, worship her and put vermilion and other things on her. It causes pain to her, but still we talk of cow (protection),” he said.

On intolerance, he said, “A lot has been said on intolerance. Even New York Times has written on it. Misplaced intolerance is dangerous to society. Let us grow intolerant towards pollution.”

The spiritual leader also pointed out that most people worship rivers and pollute them at the same time. He said that people offer milk to gods that ultimately go down the drain.

“Arrangements should be made in such a manner that the milk accumulates hygienically at a place which should be distributed among poor children,” he said.

The Art of Living founder said that African countries get $80 billion in the name of environment. “I heard that about $840 million return to banks in England in the form of black money. Even the money is being polluted.” He appreciated the MP government’s efforts to tackle global warming.

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Assembly speaker Sita Sharan Sharma, minister of state Lal Singh Arya, chief secretary Anthony de Sa, chief convener of the conference and MP Anil Madhav Dave and several others were also present at the occasion.

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